SourcingAug 23, 2023
692-Carat Diamond Recovered From Karowe Mine SourcingSep 11, 2023
Greenland Ruby Has Shut Down Its Mine
The company said operations have been on hold since January because the mine wasn’t meeting production expectations.
This file photo shows a Greenland Ruby worker holding a piece of rough from the mine. The company’s Aappaluttoq ruby and pink sapphire mine has suspended operations, but it is exploring other sources, reports say.
New York—Greenland Ruby has suspended operations at its Aappaluttoq ruby and pink sapphire mine because it wasn’t producing enough gemstones.
GemGuide, which was first to report the news in the trade, published a story back in August quoting Greenland Ruby Chief Commercial Officer Hayley Henning, who said production at the site hadn’t been meeting expectations for the past year or so.
Michele Billam, the company’s chief sales and merchandising officer told JCK last week that mining operations had been suspended for care and maintenance since January.
Henning referred all questions about the reports to Greenland Ruby CEO Arnt Erick Rørnes, who did not respond to an email request for comment by deadline.
Greenland newspaper Sermitsiaq reported last month the mine had a debt of 509 million Danish kroner, which is about $73 million at current exchange rates.
The company has closed offices and let go of employees.
The mine laid off 30 workers at the beginning of the year and later let go of the remaining seven, according to Sermitsiaq.
In a 2017 National Jeweler interview with Henning, she said life of mine for Aappaluttoq was expected to be about nine years.
She also said exploration identified two other potential sites for ruby mining, but at that time, the company was “not really there yet” in terms of moving forward at the sites.
Billam told JCK that exploratory mining had begun at two sites for which the company holds licenses.
In addition to exploration, there is still rough material to be processed and ruby inventory is still stocked in Thailand, but “sales have been very low,” according to Billam.
Related stories will be right here …
GemGuide, which was first to report the news in the trade, published a story back in August quoting Greenland Ruby Chief Commercial Officer Hayley Henning, who said production at the site hadn’t been meeting expectations for the past year or so.
Michele Billam, the company’s chief sales and merchandising officer told JCK last week that mining operations had been suspended for care and maintenance since January.
Henning referred all questions about the reports to Greenland Ruby CEO Arnt Erick Rørnes, who did not respond to an email request for comment by deadline.
Greenland newspaper Sermitsiaq reported last month the mine had a debt of 509 million Danish kroner, which is about $73 million at current exchange rates.
The company has closed offices and let go of employees.
The mine laid off 30 workers at the beginning of the year and later let go of the remaining seven, according to Sermitsiaq.
In a 2017 National Jeweler interview with Henning, she said life of mine for Aappaluttoq was expected to be about nine years.
She also said exploration identified two other potential sites for ruby mining, but at that time, the company was “not really there yet” in terms of moving forward at the sites.
Billam told JCK that exploratory mining had begun at two sites for which the company holds licenses.
In addition to exploration, there is still rough material to be processed and ruby inventory is still stocked in Thailand, but “sales have been very low,” according to Billam.
Greenland Ruby had been producing rubies as well as pink sapphires at the Aappaluttoq ruby mining site in the southwest region of Greenland since 2017. It’s the country’s first corundum mine.
The area originally was being mined by True North Gems, but following its announcement of voluntary bankruptcy in September 2016, the mining license for the Aappaluttoq Ruby Mine was awarded to LNS Greenland, an investor in the project.
Greenland Ruby A/S, its sister company, was established in October 2016 to take over the exploration license and handle the promotion and sales of the mine’s output.
A 2019 GemGuide article by Stuart M. Robertson, GIA GG, said Greenland Ruby’s acquisition of the necessary permits to export and market gemstones allowed commercial quantities of these rubies and sapphires to enter the international gem trade.
He said a combination of the stones’ affordable price point, which started at below $100 per carat, along with their mine-to-market traceability, made Greenland rubies attractive to the market.
In January of this year, Greenland Ruby announced it had appointed Rørnes, who was previously working with parent company Leonhard Nislen & Sonner AS (LNS), as its new CEO.
He succeeded Magnus Kibsgaard.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
